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Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins NRL Round 12 Tips - Match to open up after the break

jeremy-darke
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Last updated: 20 May 2025
Jeremy Darke 20 May 2025
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  • Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins expert predictions for Thursday’s Round 12 NRL game
  • Kick off is at 7:50 PM (AEST) at Accor Stadium
  • Bulldogs display a slow start but strong second-half scoring.
  • Origin and injuries altering the line ups for both teams.
Jez following some big trends in this one.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins, Round 12 2025 - Expert Prediction


Certain trends are hard to ignore and Canterbury have a few of them that have driven the tips for Thursday night’s match up against the Dolphins, including a whopping difference in their ability to score points in the second half.
  • Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins, Round 12 2025 - Expert Prediction
  • Head to Head 
  • Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis & Betting Trends
  • Canterbury Bulldogs Team News
  • Canterbury Bulldogs Team List
  • Dolphins Form Analysis & Betting Trends
  • Dolphins Team News
  • Dolphins Team List
  • Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins NRL 2025 Round 12 FAQ’s

Two comebacks in two consecutive weeks for the Bulldogs has highlighted a clear trend in how they are playing both halves of footy. Points are dry for Canterbury in the first half and open up like a dam in the the second with a difference of 84 points scored after the break than before in their last 4 matches.

Canterbury’s goal line defence hasn’t been as sharp over the last couple of weeks and has put them in a vulnerable position, however that is not expected to be the case this week coming up against the Dolphins who will be missing their key strike attacker in Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, which will see the Phins struggle to cross the line. 

Canterbury will wear the Dolphins down in the first half and will strike in the second against tired legs. Expect Villiame Kikau to be lively on the left  edge with a new starting second row pairing of the Dolphins and Tom Gilbert’s absence as lock.

  • Canterbury has a point scoring difference in the first half to second half of 14-98 in their last 4 matches.
  • Canterbury averages just 15.8 points against in 2025.
  • Dolphins games are 8-3 to the Under this season.
  • The Dolphins allowed 3 tries to second rowers last week against the Warriors

Head to Head 


Canterbury have won both matches against the Dolphins. A 30-10 victory in 2024, along with a 23-22 nailbiter in 2023. Both matches were played at Salter Oval in Bundaberg. 

Both games hit Under the 49.5-point game total that was set for each match up.

Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis & Betting Trends


Recent Form
Last 5 W/LLast 5 ATSLast 5 O/U
4-13-23-2

Canterbury are the escape artists of the NRL over the last two weeks, coming back from 20-0 in round 10 against the Raiders and doing a similar act in Round 11, getting the win against the Roosters after trailing 14-0 at the main break. 

There are plenty of ways to read into this and it all depends which side of the fence you sit. In both instances the Bulldogs have been starved of possession for large parts of the first half and have continued to play the percentage game when they have had the ball in hand. They gain more territory in the second half and attack a tired defence and score points.

On the other side, there are many instances when teams play this come-from-behind type of footy, they will meet their match and fail to gain the amount of ball they need in the second half to take the win. 

The character the Dogs are showing is Premiership quality, however, their defence which is the best in the comp has failed them in the first half over the last two weeks. The question is how concerned do they need to be? 

2025 Betting Trends
ATSOver/Under1-1213+
7-35-54-05-1

Canterbury Bulldogs Team News


Stephen Crichton, Max King and Kurt Mann will miss the match due to representative duties, while the club is also battling a little injury crisis at the moment.

Jacob Kiraz and Daniel Suluka-Fifita and the latest to join the absentee list for the Dogs with Blake Taafe coming in to cover in the backline, while Josh Curran returns from injury and will pop straight into the frontrow.

Bailey Hayward moves into lock with Jake Turpin playing the utility role on the bench along with Sam Hughes.

Canterbury Bulldogs Team List


1. Connor Tracey 
2. Blake Wilson 
3. Bronson Xerri 
4. Blake Taaffe
5. Marcelo Montoya 
6. Matt Burton 
7. Toby Sexton 
8. Lipoi Hopoi
9. Reed Mahoney 
10. Josh Curran
11. Viliame Kikau 
12. Harry Hayes
13. Bailey Hayward

Interchange
14. Jake Turpin
15. Kurtis Morrin 
16. Sam Hughes
17. Luke Smith 

Reserves
19. Drew Hutchison 
20. Jonathan Sua
21. Jack Underhill 
22. Zyon Maiu'u
23. Mitchell Woods

Dolphins Form Analysis & Betting Trends


Recent Form
Last 5 W/LLast 5 ATSLast 5 O/U
2-32-33-2

Despite having the majority of the ball against the Warriors, two late tries by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth made the result look respectable, down 16-0 with 8 minutes to go with the eventual score 16-12 to New Zealand.

The Dolphins attack looked stale compared with the siffling Warriors defence, that gave up very little metreage considering the weight in possession. 

Points were a problem for the Dolphins early this season and they have started to dry up again over the last two weeks with just 20 points against the Eels and now just 12 against the Warriors. 

2025 Betting Trends
ATSOver/Under1-1213+
6-53-81-63-1

Dolphins Team News


Jake Averillo will slot into fullback with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow representing Queensland. Max Feagai will come into the centre.

Horrible news for the Dolphins is that Tom Gilbert will be out for up to three months with a pec injury. Connelly Lemuelu starts in the second row, with Oryn Keeley coming in on the bench.

Dolphins Team List


1. Jake Averillo
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Max Feagai 
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Jack Bostock
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Francis Molo
9. Kurt Donoghoe
10. Felise Kaufusi  
11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
12. Connelly Lemuelu
13. Ray Stone

Interchange
14. Harrison Graham 
15. Mark Nicholls
16. Josh Kerr
17. Oryn Keeley

Reserves
18. Sean O'Sullivan 
19. Aublix Tawha
20. Kenny Bromwich
21. Junior Tupou 
22. Tevita Naufahu

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins NRL 2025 Round 12 FAQ’s

How to watch Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins NRL 2025 Round 12?

You can watch the Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins NRL 2025 Round 12 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins NRL 2025 Round 12?

To buy tickets to the Canterbury Bulldogs vs Dolphins NRL 2025 Round 12 game check the NRL website or the official Canterbury Bulldogs site.

Verdict

Expect the Bulldogs to go power home again in the second half against the Dolphins, who will find it difficult to put up enough points to stay with Canterbury leading to the game total staying under 42.5 points.
 
Villiame Kikau will cross for the Bulldogs on the edge.
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Betting Slip | 22 May 2025

Canterbury Bulldogs v Dolphins